Dave Barry

Dave Barry was a trailblazing stand-up comedian who began his comedy, acting and voice-over career at age 17. He played his first professional gig at New York's old Palace Theater in April of 1935. The young comedic talent (born Dave Siegel, and then changing legally to Dave Barry in the early 1940s) was the son of a furniture store owner in Brooklyn, calling himself an "amateur cartoonist and sign painter" when he made his debut in April 1935 on the radio talent show "Major Edward Bowes and the Original Amateur Hour." Bowes radio show encouraged listeners to vote for favorite acts either by calling the station in New York or sending in a postcard. The act that gained the most votes won the opportunity to go on a road tour with one of Major Bowes' touring "units," making $50 weekly plus meals. Barry was a hit with listeners, winning several contests and Major Bowes signed him to a contract for live shows. Bowes became Barry's first mentor, schooling him on showbiz and suggesting that B